Do the New York Rangers have a chance at winning next year’s Stanley Cup?

The New York Rangers are one of the most iconic franchises in the NHL and have four Stanley Cup titles to their name.

While NHL bettors in NY pick a new app every NHL season they can find some great offers which may tempt them int backing the Rangers.

Their tie with the new Jersey Devils went to game seven last year started incredibly for the Rangers. They won the first two games 5-1 over the Devils to give themselves a series lead.

The Devils turned the tables though with three wins of their won to take the advantage in the series. New York Rangers pulled a game back to take it to game seven, but The Devils shut out the Rangers in a 4-0 win to progress as series winners.

What was most notable was the lack of offense from the Rangers in the final game of the series. This came after scoring 15 goals in their three wins previously. Defensively the team crumbled as well and left a lot for goalie Igor Shesterkin to do alone.

Having reached the Eastern Conference Final the year before, they came nowhere close last season, and changes have been imperative this off season to put things right, and these could take the Rangers back to Stanley Cup triumph.

Change on the Bench

Head coach Gerard Gallant was relieved of his duties after the disappointing end to the season as has been replaced by Peter Laviolette.

There have been mixed reviews about how Laviolette has handled the development of young players from his time in Washington, but he has had praise at former clubs in Carolina and Nashville.

Laviolette needs to ensure his younger players are stepping up and making the leap with some short-term veteran signings being brought in to help push the New York Rangers back into the Stanley Cup frame.

“Those young players need an opportunity to grow and in the framework of a team, everyone wants to feel like they’re contributing,” 

It will be important for the players, as well the supporters, that this continues to happen for their young stars, and that any signs of struggle aren’t met with an instant drop in minutes on the ice.

Key Players

·  K’Andre Miller

Entering his fourth season, the talented young defenseman who was drafted with the 22^nd overall pick in 2018 will be looking to break out this year.

He has shown a more offensive games at times which has cost him in the defensive transition, but his potential is undeniable.

·  Alexis Lafrenière

After getting Miller to commit, Lafrenière became the next priority for President and General Manager Chris Drury.

The first overall pick of the 2020 NHL Draft registered 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 81 games last season.

The 21-year-old Canadian from Quebec is a dangerous winger looking to emerge this season as the player everyone knows he can be.

While he yet to hit the heights his talent and potential suggests, this season will be a big one for Lafrenière as he looks to repay the faith the New York Rangers put in him taking him first in the draft.

·  Kaapo Kakko

The Finnish wonderkid is entering his fifth season and partners Lafrenière as a winger to make a deadly duo should they both take the next step this season.

He has averaged just 0.41 points per game since being drafted, but last season was his best return with 18 goals and 40 points in 82 matches.

With a number of trade deadline acquisitions leaving, incluing Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, this highlights that Kakko and Lafrenière will be key pieces in the New York Rangers attack this season.

“Get some power play time and also play more, that’s the next step,” Kaako said on breakup day. “There were some good things in the o-zone, staying with the puck close to the net and getting some chances. That’s my game.”

Strengths of the roster

·  Goaltending depth

The New York Rangers have a fantastic duo of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathon Quick.

Shesterkin is a highly talented goaltender who kept his side in games they maybe should have been out of last season.

Quick has bags of experience and success in the NHL which also makes him a reliable backup that combines well to give the Rangers some envied depth in this position.

·  Experienced additions

While they have some exciting young stars, players like Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino, Tyler Pitlick and Erik Gustafsson have arrived to bring more experience to the group.

Additions like Wheeler provide support off the ice as well as contributing on it. This should help settle the young players as well as make the Ranger more consistent in 2023/24.

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